Ascension Saint Thomas associates, volunteers, leaders and community collaborators in Middle Tennessee gathered in service together recently to deliver free medical care to those with limited access or who are struggling.
Services provided included medical care/screenings, dental care, foot care and washing, vision care, select prescriptions, radiology, physical therapy, hair care, spiritual care, behavioral health care and community services.
“The Medical Mission is a sacred part of our culture and our commitment to community that allows our essence and uniqueness as a ministry to take focus,” said Fahad Tahir, President and CEO, Ascension Saint Thomas. “It’s a magnifying glass on the work that goes unseen every day, in exam rooms, hospitals and care centers across the community. It’s who we are.”
Ascension Medical Mission is a day dedicated to providing access to healthcare for those in need. In total, 339 volunteers served 601 people in one day.
Continuing Medical Education Manager JeriSue Petrie recalled a specific encounter with one of the participants she took care of. “After I washed the feet of a woman who did not speak English, she took a seat in a chair to the side. When I passed by her a few minutes later, she reached out and stopped me. She showed me her phone on which she had typed a sentence into Google Translate. The Google translation in English read, ‘God will pay you for your work.’ She looked at me, smiled, and nodded. I put my hands on my heart and nodded back to thank her for her gift, which touched me beyond words.”
